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I feel like a fool for not loving this classic examination of theexistence (or lack thereof) of both God and the meaning of life more.

I appreciate it, with it's stark, lovely photography, attention todetail, marvelous performances, and sly dark sense of humor thatbalances the portentousness of the subject matter, and makes the filmmuch easier to watch than my teen film-class memories of it.

On the other hand, while I appreciate the film's importance in cinemahistory, and the bravery with which it tackles the biggest of issues ina head-on, intellectual way, I find it just that - a very intellectualexperience, devoid of much in the way of emotion. I also find some ofthe writing painfully preachy and on the nose.

Yet, in the end, I admire what it accomplished in its time, and howwell it holds up 53 years later.

And seeing as I went from not liking it at all, to liking it quite abit on my 2nd viewing, I'm open to what a third seeing might bring.

As almost goes without saying, the Criterion blu-ray transferis stunning, and worth buying for the strength of the images,even if you struggle with the film. I'm glad I got it.

Don't let this review put you off from the movie, the movie is fantastic and is a must see. However my problem is the seller. The DVD arrived without much delay and the price is fair, but the packaging the DVD was sent in was so poor that the case is broken and the discs are scratched. Luckily the discs work. But when paying over £15 for a DVD I want a bit better packaging really. I have ordered DVDs from the US to the UK before and had no trouble, I am very disappointed.Still the film was excellent and the special features were amazing!!

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4.8 out of 5 stars
100 reviews

Suzathustra Katzen

5.0 out of 5 starsBergman. Enough Said.

4 February 2017 - Published on Amazon.com

Format: DVD|Verified Purchase

What can be said about this film that has not already been said, or written? It is sacred in the temple of cinema. The knight's confession to Death alone is inexhaustible. I used it to open a philosophy essay on Schelling, Kierkegaard, and Nietzsche. And I got an A. But enough about my writing skills. Bergman is a genius. He is an artist. He is a philosopher. His angst over the silence of God is an extension of continental/German philosophy which began with Martin Luther, if you ask me. But this is the sort of film that philosophers and people who are interested in the deepest human ponderings will not only want to see, but own, so they can watch it over and over again. It is the kind of film that should be cultivated over a lifetime. Every time I watch this film, I come away with something new, even if it is only that Bengt Ekerot bears a striking resemblance to Dwight Eisenhower, who was President of the United States at the time this film was made (1957), and I got that from the excellent essay included in the DVD, written by Gary Giddens. There are some people who won't get this this film. But to those of us who do, it's a treasure.

Criterion has outdone themselves once again with this new edition Blu Ray of Bergman's classic film. The Seventh Seal is an absolute must see for any would be student of the cinema and this is the package to see it on.

Max von Sydow plays the iconic knight Antonius Block who has just returned from the Crusades with this loyal squire Jons(Gunnar Björnstrand). Both men are world weary and return to a Sweden being devastated by the plague. In one of the screen's great images Block challenges Death(Bengt Ekerot) to a game of chess. The stakes are high if Block wins he gets to live or at least live long enough to do one noble deed in his life. That deed is the saving of a small family and their child from the death at the hands of the plague.

This is one of the great intellectual films of contemporary cinema but that thought should not put off any potential viewer. The film explores the meaning of life and death and the theory of whether or not God exists in this world.

The Criterion package presents the film in its original Swedish and also in an English dubbed track. The transfer is as perfect as if the film was brand new. But the film itself only hints at the things to come as one explores the disc. First up is an introduction to the film by Bergman hmself. That is followed by an excellent commentary track by Peter Cowie produced for the original Criterion release. To this commentary Cowie has added a brief video afterward of material that he was not able to discuss on the original track.

The biggest special feature is the presentation of Bergman Island (2004) Marie Nyrerod's documentary on the director originally made for Swedish television and then recut as a feature film. This is an impressive extra feature since Criterion has also released the film as one of its stand alone titles. The film runs 85 minutes and covers three aspects of the director's life: his cinema, his life in the theatre and finally his reclusive later years on Faro Island. This feature alone is worth the price charged for the disc.

Wrapping up the disc are a 20 minute interview by Cowie with Von Sydow which was used for research into Cowie's book on the actor. The interview which is audio only speaks to the issue that foreign actors have of breaking into the American film system. There is also a tribute to Bergman by Woody Allen for Turner Classic Movies and the excellent short Bergman 101 also by Peter Cowie which walks the viewer through a large segment of the director's career in about 35 minutes. The original trailer for The Seventh Seal is also included.

5.0 out of 5 starsThis classic by Ingmar Bergman is so fascinating that multiple ...

20 February 2018 - Published on Amazon.com

Format: DVD|Verified Purchase

This classic by Ingmar Bergman is so fascinating that multiple viewings of it are highly suggested.It is visually stunning and your interest is held throughout.The extras really add to the viewing experience.